Shoe upper



May 14, 1929. J, E, SCOTT 1,712,633

SHOE UPPER Filed Nbv. 22, 1926 INVENTOR Jo/m [nznsow Scorn Patented May 14, 1929.

'UNITED STATES JOHN EMERSON SCOTT, 0F LONGBEACH, CALIFORNIA.

snon UPPER.

Application filed November 22, 1926. Serial No. 149,847.

The object of my invention is to provide a seamless shoe upper which can be entirely completed before it is lasted and the sole placed thereon.

An advantage of my novel shoe construction is that the stitching machine can extend into the shoe upper from the top or bot tom, making it possible to stitch any portion of the upper.

Another advantage of my novel shoe construction is that the upper may be fitted with the bottom left open and then may be lasted in any of the well-known methods, such as, welt, McKay, turned or stitched down.

A further object of my invention is to provide a seamless shoe upper which is provided with a retainer at the rear thereof, or any other portion or all over the back of the upper.

Uther objects, advantages, and features of invention may appear from the accompanyingdrawing, the subjoined detailed description, the appended claims, or in the operation and formation of my shoe.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a plan view of the leather piece from which the seamless upper or lining is formed.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the upper after having been formed.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the lining with the cuts shown therein to form the tongue.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but with the lining shown wrong side out.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation with parts broken away of the shoe upper.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the assembled shoe upper.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the completed sl'loe.

Referring more iarticularly to the drawing:

An elliptical piece of material 1 which may be leather, clot-h, fabric or any other suitable n'iaterial is placed in a machine and is formed into the shape shown in Fig. 2. This process is usual and well-known in the art. During this step of forming the upper, the lower edge of the piece 1 crimped or creased as at 2 in order that the material may conform to the shape of the die or form. In order that these creases may beheld and also to retain the shape as shown in Fig. 2, I secure a retainer strip 3 to the material. This strip may be cemented to the material or may be stitched or otherwise secured thereto.

It is obvious that this strip may be formed in various ways. A single narrow strip may be utilized, or a plurality of strips or a single side strip may be employed if it is further desirable and necessary. If desirable, the entire upper may be covered with a retainer. The upper is formed inside out, at this point the backing on retainer is secured in place after which it is turned right-side out and is then out along the line 4 to provide the top opening of the upper through which the foot is inserted. The cutting may be done before or after the upper is turned. The lining 5 is formed in the same way as previously described eXcept that it is usually formed rightside in, as this is the natu 'al position, and a retainer 6 is secured to the back of said lining in the same manner as previously described.

To keep the lining or the upper from stretching, the retainers 3. and (3 may be stitched along the lower edge thereof as at 7, or may be sewed in place by the stitching used to hold the upper together, or by the stitching securing the overlays or the like, thus holding the lining or upper in shape. In Fig. 4 the tongue portion 8 has been out 01f is neces sary when an oxford is formed; whereas, in Fig. 3 it is left long as is necessary when a high shoe upper is formed. The lining is cut as shown at 9 to provide the opening, as previously described, for the upper 1. After the upper l and lining 5 have both been. separately formed, the lining is placed inside of the upper and the two are stitched together adjacent the tops thereof, and around the tongue 8 as shown at 10, and such other stitching as may be necessary to complete the upper; that is, the upper and lining are secured together after both have been removed from the form, and the bottom and top thereof are open so that the stitching machine can readily extend inside of the upper and various overlays, cut-outs, or the like may be stitched in position with a minimum amount of effort and labor.

After the upper has been formed in the manner stated, the shoe may be lasted or made up by any of the well-known methods, such as, Welt, McKay, turned or stitched down. The completed shoe is shown at 11. If it is found necessary, the retainer strips 3 and 6 may be cut away at the heel or elsewhere so that the upper may take the shape of the last, the portion not cut away will prevent the rest of the upper from stretching; that is, the retainer is practically nonstretchable while the leather or the like for1ning the upper will readily give to conform 7 also employ ja pieced upperWith a seamless lining or a seamless upperand pieced lining which are assembled in the manner previously stated. I

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. The method which consists in first shaping cutupper material substantially to the shape of alast, then shaping a cut lining substantiallfito the shape of the last, then securing t the upper is rea y to be lasted.

e linin to the upper after which 2. The method of forming uppers which consists in first forming a seamless upper; then securing a retainer piece to the upper; then forming a seamless lining; then securing a retainer strip to the lining; then securing the lining and upper together makinp a completed upper ready to be lasted.

3. The method of forming a shoe upper which consists in first forming an it per; then securing a retainer strip thereto; t ion fornv ing a lining; then securing a retainer strip to said lining; then cutting portions of both retainer strips away to permit stretching of the upper and lining; then securing the upper and lining together; thus completing the upper ready for lasting.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN EMERSON SCOTT. 

